When I first proposed the idea of a Schools For Climate Action Resolution to the school board, not everyone was in agreement with it. I had to stay determined and organized to continue with the emails, calls, and meetings until the resolutions were officially signed and passed.
In September 2020, I helped pass two Resolutions for Climate Action. Although my school had undertaken many other environmental themed projects, it wasn’t until I attended a Citizens Climate Lobby meeting with two other students that I realized there was a way to prove my school’s steadfast belief in climate action; it was at this meeting that I heard about the Schools For Climate Action Resolution, which I immediately knew would be perfect for our school, Tahoe Expedition Academy. Along with the environmental club, I got to work right away to pass this important and necessary document. First, we approached the Student Board and gained their support. Next, the School Board reinforced our school’s commitment with their own resolution. As of September 21, 2020, our school has two Schools For Climate Action Resolutions passed!
The process to pass the resolutions began with a formal resolution to the Student Board and School Board. (The resolutions posted on SchoolsforClimateAction.org helped me to see examples before drafting ones for my school.) Next, came a series of virtual meetings before all of the members agreed on the resolution and signed it.
Moving forward, my school and I will continue our promise by taking further steps towards climate action. We will encourage students to write letters to their government representatives and will find ways to become more sustainable on campus. I am thrilled for the opportunity to present our resolutions to Congress.
The advice I would give to future students wanting to pass a climate resolution in their school community is to be persistent. When I first proposed the idea of a Schools For Climate Action Resolution to the school board, not everyone was in agreement with it. I had to stay determined and organized to continue with the emails, calls, and meetings until the resolutions were officially signed and passed. The Schools For Climate Action Resolutions were a great success at my school and I believe these are documents that should be put in place in every school.